5 Tropical Fruit Trees You Can Grow Indoors—Even During Winter

Dwarf Meyer Lemon

Dwarf Meyer lemons (Citrus meyeri) are easy to grow indoors, says Tony Marquez, co-owner of Pearson Ranch.

This tree is an adaptable dwarf variety that produces fragrant white flowers and zesty fruit year-round, provided it receives sufficient light. It's naturally compact and an excellent option for many gardeners, as it doesn't require cold chill hours to produce fruit. It's also self-pollinating.

Meyer lemons stand out for their sweeter flavor, offering a less tart, more floral taste than regular lemons, complemented by delightful hints of mandarin orange.

• Size: 3 to 6 feet tall x 3 to 4 feet wide
• Growing conditions: Full sun, well-draining soil, rich in organic matter

Arabica Coffee Tree

Loved for their glossy leaves and fragrant blossoms, as well as their ability to yield coffee beans, this tree (Coffea arabica) makes an excellent addition to any home garden.

It bears an abundance of coffee cherries—the red or yellow fruits that contain beans. Notably, this tree can tolerate lower light levels than many other tropical plants, so it's a low-maintenance option.

When grown indoors, avoid direct sunlight, especially in the afternoon, as it can lead to leaf burn; instead, place it in a spot with bright, indirect light.

• Size: 4 to 6 feet tall x 3 to 4 feet wide
• Growing conditions: Full sun, bright and indirect, well-draining soil rich in organic matter

Calamondin

A mandarin orange and kumquat hybrid, calamondin trees (Citrus macrocarpa) are a great option for indoor gardening because they're compact, eye-catching, and quite resilient.

“They're fantastic for making jams and syrups as well as for eating fresh," says Eva Ward, owner of Ward Nursery. “Since their fruit is small, they ripen much faster than a larger citrus, like a lemon or orange."

This tropical tree is known for its abundant yields, fragrant flowers, and year-round fruit production. When placed in a sunny window, it can thrive indoors.

• Size: 4 to 8 feet tall x 3 to 6 feet wide (When grown in containers)
• Growing conditions: Full sun, well-draining soil rich in organic matter

Avocado

Avocado trees (Persea americana) are often grown indoors for their attractive foliage. When grown from seed, it can take several years for them to bear fruit. Opting for a grafted dwarf variety offers the best chance of early fruiting.

This tropical evergreen features dark green, oval-shaped leaves with paler veins. It thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. When an avocado tree does bloom, it produces tiny, greenish-yellow flower clusters on slender stalks.

•  Size: 5 to 8 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide
• Growing conditions: Full sun, well-draining soil

Dwarf Cavendish Banana

The dwarf Cavendish banana (Musa acuminata 'Dwarf Cavendish) is a popular choice for indoor cultivation and is known for bringing a touch of the tropics to any space.

Growing this banana variety is relatively straightforward, but it does require careful attention to detail. To promote fruiting, it's important to ensure adequate sunlight, preferably from a south-facing window, along with maintaining high humidity and consistent watering.

The bananas themselves develop in bunches, transitioning from green to yellow as they ripen, and are celebrated for their classic, sweet, creamy flavor profile.

• Size: 4 to 9 feet tall x 2 to 4 feet wide
• Growing conditions: Full sun, well-draining soil rich in organic matter